In my experience, more times than not Feathertop is safe to summit without crampons or an ice axe. I've summitted several times an have never had either. (not always smart though) However in the wrong conditions it can ice up and become quite treacherous, such were the conditions when Tim Holding then Water Minister slipped off in 2009.

An ice axe and knowledge how to self arrest should be sufficient. Even in severe conditions I've never felt crampons as necessary and I've never had them.

Oh and the word is that Feathertop is likely to be quite packed this weekend. I'll be up there for sure! :-D (no axes or crampons for me, I will be summitting as long as its safe and not too horrible weather)

I think MUMC is doing their yearly midnight ascent next WE. If so, I wouldn't advice going if you are after peace and quiet. As for crampons, better to pack them and not end up using them rather than wishing you took them. I will be using mine so can't help you. Many places rent some (Bogong and others). Take care.

Thanks Patto, I had been to the summit years ago without crampons, I remember it being a bit hard packed and icy but doable. I have practiced self arresting with an ice axe. But as Phil says I would just hate to get all the way up there and find it particulary icy at the moment, I suppose hiring some crampons will be cheap insurance.

Hmmm MUMC midnight summit!? So is that a pretty hectic hut party or will we still be able to enjoy a camp out near the hut?

On 7/08/2011 StuckNut wrote:>Hmmm MUMC midnight summit!? So is that a pretty hectic hut party or will>we still be able to enjoy a camp out near the hut?

I was inadvertently up there last year when the midnight hike was happening. I was in MUMC Hut with a mate, happily asleep when the first members of the MUMC rocked up at about 2am. In the end, about 40 people were in the group, so the hut ended up being chockers (ended up losing some of my gear in amongst the mess), and most of the camping around the hut was taken too. We packed up at 7am that morning, walked down and headed around to Bogong instead.

If you're set on Feathertop (Bogong offers some fun gullies if you're keen to get your axes and crampons out), then I'd head up Bungalow Spur and stay at Federation Hut instead.

On 7/08/2011 StuckNut wrote:>On 7/08/2011 Mike Bee wrote:>>>If you're set on Feathertop (Bogong offers some fun gullies if you're>>keen to get your axes and crampons out), then I'd head up Bungalow Spur>>and stay at Federation Hut instead.>>Actually, Bungalow Spur and camping around Federation Hut was the plan>- so we should be safe then!?

Yes. You'll be safe.

That is far too far away for even the most drunken MUMCers to stumble to. Though if you are summitting you will likely meet a horde of them up top.

On 8/08/2011 tinman wrote:>Hi minerva was it icy at the top or along the ridge? or both?>>What are people's thoughts on using microspikes on this trail in winter?>I've done the walk in early spring wearing normal shoes.>>Thanks >>T

Winter isn't necessarily any better or worse than spring. It all depends on the recent conditions, wind and freezing and thawing cycles. In winter can happily ascend in crampons, microspikes, boots and often even runners (see it done even in icy conditions, not recommended though).

Though as has been said if it is very icy then the equipment and ability to self arrest is essential.

EDIT:
Though looking more at microspikes I don't see the point. What is the use of them without proper toe spikes? I think I'd prefer my boots.

yep, crampon or not, but take a ski pole and/or axe at least...that way you can old school and chop steps!

On 8/08/2011 patto wrote:>On 8/08/2011 tinman wrote:>>Hi minerva was it icy at the top or along the ridge? or both?>>>>What are people's thoughts on using microspikes on this trail in winter?>>I've done the walk in early spring wearing normal shoes.>>>>Thanks >>>>T>>Winter isn't necessarily any better or worse than spring. It all depends>on the recent conditions, wind and freezing and thawing cycles. In winter>can happily ascend in crampons, microspikes, boots and often even runners>(see it done even in icy conditions, not recommended though).>>Though as has been said if it is very icy then the equipment and ability>to self arrest is essential.>>>EDIT:>Though looking more at microspikes I don't see the point. What is the>use of them without proper toe spikes? I think I'd prefer my boots.>

Well couldn't have asked for a better weekend weather wise, not a breath of wind, a little cloud cover to cut the sun intensity back. We arrived to a packed Bungalow Spur car park at about 11am sat morn, after driving up from Melbourne. Set off up the track, passed a few peeps on their way down, they commented on how busy it was up there, which I was sort of expecting from the forum chatter before the weekend, and the scene at the car park when we arrived.

When we arrived at Fed Hut, it did slightly resemble a caravan park, but not as bad as we were made to believe. Maybe 10 or so tents pitched near the hut? We wandered a little further away from the hut and pitched our tent, I dug out a bit of a kitchen, it was Elise's first snow camping experience so we had a bit of fun with it. Had a nice view of Mt Hotham from our site, they set off some fireworks on the mountain just after dark and then we enjoyed watching the lights of the groomers busily scurrying around the mountain slopes.

Wandered over to the hut after dinner, which had a bit of a pub atmosphere about it, with all the people hanging around in the dark drying gear, cooking and socialising.

Morning broke to another perfect day, coffee and porridge for brekky and then we set off up to the summit. We fitted crampons but they weren't really needed, snow conditions were good, but crampons made for confident footsteps on the steep stuff anyhow. We hung around on the summit chatting to a few peeps for a bit, soaking up the view. Before heading back to camp for lunch(Mee Goreng noodles with a bit of Deb instant mash thrown in - oh yeah!). Packed up and then headed down, actually we nearly sprinted down - soo much easier decending than going up!

In my initial enthusiasm to start hiking up the mountain, I had parked in the first spot that appeared vacant - then immediately realised I could be in trouble trying to reverse out of it sunday arvo! Thanks to the kind folks who happened to be there when we got down and gave me a push to get my car out of the slightly awkward position!